For a frustrated Lin, waiting is hardest part

For two days, Jeremy Lin had to let his frustration marinate in the mix that is his unique place as an NBA celebrity beginning the next phase of his career.

He had struggled badly against the Spurs on Sunday, making just the last of his 10 shots, which drew unusual levels of attention if only because he was the guy going 1-for-10. That morning, an unnamed source had charged in a New York newspaper that Rockets coaches were unhappy with him over a lack of effort to improve, which they considered so inaccurate they said the issue was that he has worked too hard and they wanted him to back off.

Lin did not deny his poor play or disguise his disappointment, but he also knew there would be nothing he could do about it until Wednesday night’s game against Memphis, with the Rockets having already determined he would have to sit out Monday’s game against the Mavericks.

“It’s frustrating,” Lin said. “Any time you don’t play as well as you think you’re capable of, it’s frustrating. I have to remember it’s a process. It’s not just going to happen overnight for me. I’m going to have to build and build step by step, brick by brick. As long as I get an upward progression of improvement over time, I think I’m happy.”

As much as he can have that perspective and put it in a Harvard-y sort of way, Lin could not blame his critics, since he has been among his harshest. Through three preseason games, he has averaged 5.3 points (on 21.1 percent shooting) and 4.7 assists in 22.7 minutes.

Lin said he would not have been able to live with his play Sunday had it been a regular-season game, so coach Kevin McHale, knowing Lin would have to live with it for a few days, met with him on Sunday evening and again Monday morning in Dallas.

“He’s just getting his confidence back, trying to get his mojo going, which is very common,” McHale said. “I said, ‘Just go out and relax and play. It’s going to come.’ Anybody who has ever played and come back has gone through a period (when) it’s kind of odd. All of a sudden, things click, and he’s back to playing well and confident.”

Some of Lin’s difficulties have stemmed from the growing pains of the Rockets’ offense. Yes, he has missed some open shots, but many of his scoring chances have come when the movement around him bogged down and he had to charge into the lane to create his own offense.

The Rockets consider his shooting percentage among the least of their issues. Even less of a concern is what he will do about it.

“I know everybody on our coaching staff has nothing but complete faith in Jeremy,” assistant coach Kelvin Sampson said. “We watch him practice every day. If anything, you have to pull him back. He works as hard as anybody on this team.

“Jeremy and the guy he works with on shooting (Josh Fan) come in at night, and we’ve talked about as a staff monitoring how much he does so he doesn’t overdo it. I’ve never heard anything about him not working hard enough. If anything, he works too hard.”

Lin has continued to report there are no issues from last spring’s surgery to repair a torn meniscus or the time lost to his rehab, other than the wait to regain his quickness. Monday’s day off was part of the team’s plan for him this month rather than a result of any setback.

The difficulty was in having to wait to try to bounce back, inspiring those around Lin to remind him there is no rush, no matter how much scrutiny comes his way.

“He should feel no pressure,” Chandler Parsons said. “There shouldn’t be any burden on his shoulders to lead or to go out there and score 20 points. Just go out there and play the way you know how to play, and good things will happen.”

Dallas Mavericks' Elton Brand (42) looks for an opening against Houston Rockets' Patrick Patterson during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas.

Dallas Mavericks' Elton Brand (42) looks for an opening against Houston Rockets' Patrick Patterson during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas.

Photo: Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press

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Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale shouts instructions to his team late in the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas. The Mavericks won 123-104. less

Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale shouts instructions to his team late in the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas. The Mavericks ... more

Photo: Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press

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Houston Rockets guard Jeremy Lin during a timeout against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of an preseason NBA basketball game Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas. Lin did not play in the game.

Houston Rockets guard Jeremy Lin during a timeout against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of an preseason NBA basketball game Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas. Lin did not play in the game.

Photo: Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press

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Dallas Mavericks guard Jared Cunningham (1) drives against Houston Rockets' Donatas Motiejunas (20) of Lithuania for a shot attempt in the second half of an preseason NBA basketball game Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas. The Mavericks won 123-104. less

Dallas Mavericks guard Jared Cunningham (1) drives against Houston Rockets' Donatas Motiejunas (20) of Lithuania for a shot attempt in the second half of an preseason NBA basketball game Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, ... more

Photo: Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press

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Houston Rockets' Gary Forbes, of Panama, and Omer Asik (3), of Turkey, defend against a shot attempt by Dallas Mavericks' Elton Brand (42) in the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas. The Mavericks won 123-104. less

Houston Rockets' Gary Forbes, of Panama, and Omer Asik (3), of Turkey, defend against a shot attempt by Dallas Mavericks' Elton Brand (42) in the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. ... more

Photo: Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press

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Houston Rockets' Omer Asik (3), of Turkey, gets over Dallas Mavericks' O.J. Mayo (32) for a shot at the basket during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas. less

Houston Rockets' Omer Asik (3), of Turkey, gets over Dallas Mavericks' O.J. Mayo (32) for a shot at the basket during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in ... more

Photo: Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press

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Houston Rockets' Jeremy Lin watches late in a preseason NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas. Lin did not play inthe 123-104 loss to the Mavericks.

Houston Rockets' Jeremy Lin watches late in a preseason NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas. Lin did not play inthe 123-104 loss to the Mavericks.

Photo: Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press

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Houston Rockets' Donatas Motiejunas (20), of Lithuania, and Patrick Patterson, right, defend against a drive to the basket by Dallas Mavericks' Brandan Wright (34) in the second half of their preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas. The Mavericks won 123-104. less

Houston Rockets' Donatas Motiejunas (20), of Lithuania, and Patrick Patterson, right, defend against a drive to the basket by Dallas Mavericks' Brandan Wright (34) in the second half of their preseason NBA ... more

Photo: Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press

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Houston Rockets' Omer Asik (3) of Turkey defends against a drive by Dallas Mavericks' Chris Kaman, right, in the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas. Kaman had 20-points in the 123-104 Mavericks win. less

Houston Rockets' Omer Asik (3) of Turkey defends against a drive by Dallas Mavericks' Chris Kaman, right, in the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas. Kaman had ... more

Photo: Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press

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Houston Rockets forward Chandler Parsons, right, drives around the defense of Dallas Mavericks' Dahntay Jones, left, during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas. less

Houston Rockets forward Chandler Parsons, right, drives around the defense of Dallas Mavericks' Dahntay Jones, left, during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in ... more

Photo: Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press

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Houston Rockets' Omer Asik, left, of Turkey drives by Dallas Mavericks' Chris Kaman, in the first half of an preseason NBA basketball game Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas.

Houston Rockets' Omer Asik, left, of Turkey drives by Dallas Mavericks' Chris Kaman, in the first half of an preseason NBA basketball game Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas.

Photo: Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press

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Houston Rockets guard Scott Machado (14) gets past Dallas Mavericks' Dominique Jones (20) and Elton Brand, right rear, on a drive to the basket in the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Dallas. less

Houston Rockets guard Scott Machado (14) gets past Dallas Mavericks' Dominique Jones (20) and Elton Brand, right rear, on a drive to the basket in the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, ... more